Abstract

This study focused on the effects of rice straw fibre and walnut shell ash particulates on the flexural and fatigue strength of epoxy composites. Conventional hand-lay-up techniques in five different weight proportions (i.e 2 wt.%, 4wt.%, 6wt.%, 8wt.% and 10wt.%) were used to reinforce the epoxy composites. The rice straw fibres were used to reinforce the epoxy composite separately, while rice straw fibres (RS_f) combined with walnut shell ash particulates (WSA_p) at an equal ratio were also used to reinforce the composites. The short beam shear tests were performed on the composites samples at room temperature to evaluate the flexural strength (according to ASTM D2344) and fatigue test. Both strengths were positively affected by reinforcement of the epoxy composites with rice straw fibre and walnut shell ash particulate. The presence of RS_f and WSA_p in the epoxy had great influences that altered the number of cycles obtained for the composite and shifted the cycle of failure to higher number.  Amongst the different weight proportions, 6wt% of hybrid composite (rice straw fibre and walnut shell ash particulate) gave the highest flexural strength. A sustainable, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative material for automotive, structural, and defense applications could be created with these epoxy biocomposites, which have improved mechanical properties.